Yesterday I read something very interesting in John Palmer's "
How to Brew". A segment on yeast was written that speaks of a
stirring stick used in Viking times. It states:
"In the days of the Vikings, each family had their own brewing stick that they used for stirring the wort. These brewing sticks were regarded as family heirlooms because it was the use of that stick that guaranteed that the beer would turn out right. Obviously, those sticks retained the family yeast culture."
Pretty amazing eh? They had no idea it was something so complex (yet simple) that caused their brews to taste the same as every other they made, yet different from their neighbors.
To read more about brewing beer you must check out "How to Brew" by John Palmer. I as well as anyone else who homebrews would not think twice to recommend it.
It contains information for first time brewers as well as the veterans who want to brush up on their practices.
Of course, don't try to use your own stirring stick without sanitizing it... unless your'e feeling daring, and wouldn't mind possibly wasting some money.
